Unsolicited “help” at airports

Departing Cairo last week I was approached by what at first glance seemed to be an airport employee who offered to help me with my bags and facilitate fast track through the initial security check. I declined, as I always do and sure enough his friendly attitude quickly turned to borderline threats when it was clear he was not going to earn any money from me.
I deal with these people by following a three stage routine of :

i) polite refusal
ii) firm less polite refusal
iii) hearty loud swearing

How do others deal with the same situation ?

AnthonyDunn – I can only agree with you regarding the Egyptian economy. Years of what was effectively the DDR in North Africa has made the country’s population both suspicious of foreigners and expecting money from them.

All that being said I was meeting with both military and civilian people and many of them are aware of the changes needed in their country and are working hard to achieve them. I returned with a more positive view of the nation than when I arrived. It goes without saying that the Pyramids are stunning and well worth a visit if visiting.

Unfortunatelly stage ‘iii’ is probably what they want you to do. This will be viewed as threatnening and then lead to your arrest, especially as this chap was probably police anyway – they are the worst in Egypt. This would of course then lead to more Backshish demands to let you go on your way.
In Egypt best to politely say ‘no’ and then ignore thereafter.

Small Follow Up

I mentioned the event to my local Egyptian partner this morning when we were talking on the phone and he said the following is always good in many Muslim countries

“What can you give me ? “
“The blessing of God on you “

Seems this works.

Almost fell foul of the personal taxi driver trap at DXBi…….

Just wanted to head to the Irish Village and this chap pestered me and my mates, telling us ½ truths about the yellow taxis at the rank, my pal made the school boy error of asking for a price.
He became very insistent that, by talking about prices we were now committed to his services.
It was only after, the fine Bangladeshi gent at the rank, threatened him with something or another in Arabic finally did stop him, aggressively pestering my pal. And off to the village we went with our new friend and at an affordable price.

Not a nice welcome to the city.

Brilliantly, the first time I was conned, was in New York. Jumped off the airport transfer bus from JFK and tried to get a taxi to our hotel, just across the river. NY taxi’s and the Lincoln tunnel are not compatible, so off to the Manhattan bus terminal to jump on the NJ bus. Tickets bought; off we go to find the stance. Not 10 yards from the ticket office, we’re approached by “Huggy Bear” of Starsky & Hutch fame. “Let me help you to find your bus” he offers.. ……. “it’s alright sir,” I cheerfully reply…… Well, you’d have thought I’d just changed into a white cape and pointed hat……So, to diffuse his angst, I smile ,my mates giving me the evil stare, that suggested…..are you trying to get us killed, 3 hours after landing in the US…..I agree to Huggy with Attitude’s help. ….

Hauling our suitcases, we proceed up an escalator, down a corridor, up another escalator and past some buses, and then some more buses, down an escalator ,along past a hot dog vendor and finally down an escalator near a bus with a destination board heading in our direction. . This trek takes fully 10 minutes to complete —– My pals rebuke me with the classic phrase “ You’re a numpty if you thought we could have found this ourselves. …… Huggy now demands with menace, that I part with $20 dollars plus tip for his services. … . Reluctantly, I agree to the twenty, but no tip My pals are now beginning to get nervous at my stand-off….. Until I point out we’re 20 yards away from where we started !!

Welcome to the good ol US of A

Recent effort in Marrakesh – picked up a car from the airport only to be told as we exited the gate “I’ll show you a quick way to your route – its on my way” he was more or less correct and got us to the Essaouira heading fairly efficiently, but before we headed on after our thanks, said “if you got any change from your country…” sadly for him I only had a £2 coin and my wife a 5 euro note…result a real tirade of how ungrateful you are…. at least his motor bike petrol hadn’t cost him that much..

I usually just smile and say thank you, repeating it several times if need be. Nothing else, just thank you and keep walking. I think they think I’m mad and just go away.

One other trick I’d use, was to thank the for their help, but explain I was robbed of all my money and don’t have a cent on me so while I appreciate the help I can’t reward you. They soon scarper though on one occasion the helper actually helped me, saying he was sorry for me, and got me past a long queue of emigration and security in 5 minutes flat.

I stood to the side while he pushed in and got my passport stamped then at security pushed me through the scanner and put my bags on the belt in front of everyone else. This saved me at least 45 minutes and I magically found an emergency” $10 I’d supposedly hidden. Well worth it!